Adorable chicks from three species of endangered birds go on show at their rainforest enclosure in Switzerlad.
Keepers at Zurich Zoo released footage of the chicks, still in their fluffy birth feathers, with their watchful parents exploring the huge pond, a replica of their homeland in Madagascar.
The rare chicks – Meller’s ducks (Anas meller), Bernier’s teal (Anas bernieri) and Madagascar ibis (Lophotibis cristata) – were all born earlier this month.
Footage of the hatchlings shows the huge ibis chick, listed as near-threatened on IUCN’s Red List, still in its nest being fed by its caring mum.
And in the water, the duck and teal chicks follow their parents as they brush up their swimming and diving skills in the zoo’s Masoala rainforest enclosure.
Zoo bosses said in a statement obtained by Newsflash: “Every chick is valuable for the survival of the species.
“Our animal keeper and bird expert Nicolai Becker therefore keeps a close eye on the offspring.
“He keeps stopping, observing, looking through the binoculars, observing again, and, in the best case, moving on, satisfied.
“But he does get nervous now and then, when he sees young animals, but there is no sign of their parents at first glance.”
They added: “Since 1995, Zurich Zoo has been committed to nature and species conservation, education, and research for the real Masoala rainforest in Madagascar.
“With the successful breeding of various endangered species such as the Meller’s duck, the Bernier’s teal, and the Madagascar ibis we are making an important contribution to nature and species conservation.”
The zoo achieved a significant milestone with the world’s first successful breeding and rearing of the Madagascar ibis.
To find out more about the author, editor or agency that supplied this story – please click below.
Story By: Georgina Jedikovska, Sub-Editor: Georgina Jedikovska, Agency: Newsflash
The Ananova page is created by and dedicated to professional, independent freelance journalists. It is a place for us to showcase our work. When our news is sold to our media partners, we will include the link here.
